Fernando Alonso: No 'Short-Term' F1 Return, Explains Dakar Rally Plans

Fernando Alonso quit Formula 1 in 2018 but in every interview he has conducted since the question about when he plans to return has always been asked. The answer to the question, however, has varied as he never ruled out making a potential comeback in the future.

The Spaniard, a double F1 Drivers’ champion, quit after spending three years with struggling McLaren team and vowed that he will only come back if given a drive with a team capable of challenging for race wins and championships. Alonso was keen to experience other forms of motorsport and his dreams of winning the “Triple Crown” remains unchanged.

Alonso added the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) to his kitty earlier in 2019 while also winning the 24 Hours of LeMans on two occasions. He now only has the Indy500 remaining to become the second-ever driver to claim the Triple Crown – the first was Graham Hill.

McLaren and Alonso failed to qualify for the 2019 Indy500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway but the Spaniard is certain to make another attempt in the future. He is currently focused on entering the Dakar Rally with Toyota Gazoo Racing – the same team he won his WEC title with.

Alonso’s participation in the famous race, however, is not confirmed with the former F1 driver revealing that he will make a decision after he competes in FIA World Cup for Cross Country Series to be held in Morocco from Oct. 3 to Oct. 9. He will drive a Toyota Hilux as part of the Gazoo Racing Team South Africa.

"I will decide about the Dakar rally based on the next rally in Morocco," Alonso said when asked about his plans for Dakar, as quoted on Sports Mole.

Coming back to F1, Alonso has no immediate plans to make a comeback. He admitted that he is simply not ready for that kind of commitment at the moment and wants to take a break before thinking about returning to the sport that needs “365 days commitment”.

Moreover, he left F1 because it was getting too predictable and there were only three teams competing for race wins. That scenario has not changed and he is hoping when the new rules kick in in 2021, the pecking order will be shuffled and more teams will be fighting at the sharp end of the grid.

"I don't have plans to return in the short term," Alonso said. "I decided to leave last year to take a breath after 18 years at the highest level and total dedication, and not much has changed."

"F1 requires 365 days a year of commitment and now I am breathing a little. When I have enough air I will think about returning or not," he added.